by Dan Mancuso,
publisher
The Josephine County Commissioners sent a press release patting themselves on the back for doing their job.
Here it is in its entirety with a few comments from me. ,
“Josephine County Commissioners have announced a series of accomplishments in the last nine months, pointing to a balanced budget, restored community programs, stronger public safety, and ongoing efforts to secure the future of the Josephine Community Library.”
“Key highlights include:
Restoring 4-H and Oregon State University Extension programs: After months of public testimony, commissioners have approved funding to bring back 4-H, the Master Gardener program, in addition to other community minded programs that Oregon State University Extension has to offer, without raising taxes; and
Approving a balanced budget for fiscal year 2025-2026, and preserving essential services while maintaining long term stability; and Strengthening Public Safety for Josephine County, the commissioners approved additional funding to support added deputies, detectives, and one additional school resource officer to the Sheriff’s Office, moving closer to the goal of 24-hour patrol coverage; and
After months of collaborating with the Josephine Community Library, the board approved a lease with the library, and is pending the library board’s approval; and
The Board of County Commissioners held town hall meetings and successfully assisted in protecting property owners by pushing back against Oregon Senate Bill 762, Oregon Wildfire Hazard Map.
“Our focus so far this year has been listening to the people of Josephine County and responding with action,” the commissioners said in a joint statement. “By restoring youth programs, investing in public safety, balancing the budget, and working with community partners, we are building a stronger and more stable county for the future.”
Some residents say, that 2025 reflects steps to building a stronger connection between local government and the people it serves.”
As a past member of the budget committee, balancing the budget is what we do. Its not any great feat to do that.
Securing the future of the library? That is laughable at best. They create a problem and then claim victory by solving the problem they created.
As for public safety they gave the sheriff less money than what is needed.
4-H and the OSU extension? What did they do? Again the fixed the problem they created. They did nothing other than collect the money that was approved by the voters.
To sum it up, the entire thing is self serving and very repetitive.
There is an old saying in the sales community.
“Tell them what you are going to tell them,” just like the first paragraph.
Then, “tell them what you want to tell them,” like the following paragraphs.
Then, “tell them what you told them,” like the last few paragraphs.
Barnett is a master of self promotion. I would describe his behavior as a child who demands attention at all times.
Anyway, that’s my two cents about the dog and pony show aka press release the commissioners sent.
Thank you for reading this week’s edition, enjoy ~ djm